As a student new to the area, you will find several transportation options that vary depending on your lifestyle and the area where you choose to live. UW Bothell is located within walking distance of downtown Bothell and is situated close to major transportation arterials. There are frequent commuter buses that connect Bothell to other destinations. Bicycling as a popular and valued means of transportation in the Pacific Northwest, and the Burke Gilman trail is a safe and beautiful way to get from Seattle to Bothell, and beyond. Visit the getting to campus page for information on driving, biking, and bus service.

Sound Transit is the regional agency that is implementing light-rail transportation. However, the majority of transit routes are serviced by buses. While there are not many transit-oriented neighborhoods next to campus, it is possible to live comfortably as a graduate student without a car. Bus route information and links to local transit options.

Urban dwellers are encouraged to consider a transit-oriented neighborhood with access to Zipcar. As a UW student, you can get discounted enrollment in the carshare program for trips to the grocery store or other times when you just need a car.

One of the many ways that UW Bothell is trying to reduce the number of cars on the road and single occupancy trips is its participation in Zimride. Zimride helps match riders and drivers who have similar commuting patterns.

For more information refer to the detailed charts on the neighborhoods page, to the left, with estimated travel times by bike, bus, and car.

U-Pass

The U-Passis a transit pass for UW students. The U-Pass is integrated into your Husky ID card and can be purchased with registration each quarter. Your U-Pass is similar to the regional transit pass, the ORCA card, and can be used on King County Metro, Community Transit, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Everett Transit, Sound Transit, and Sounder Commuter Train. Unlike the ORCA card, an “e-purse” cannot be added to your Husky ID card. Passes are live within 24-48 hours of payment, and you just simply “tap” the card to a reader on a bus/train to complete activation.